Information and opinions on health from PJ at HealthCentral.com. HealthCentral.com is one of the top health destinations on the Web, with more than 35 condition-specific, wellness and general health Web properties. http://www.healthcentral.com/profiles/c/189079/index http://www.healthcentral.com/profiles/c/189079/rss self application/xml en-us 15 120 19 http://www.healthcentral.com/images/hc_logo_sm.gif http://www.healthcentral.com/profiles/c/189079/index http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/189079/134288/iv Fri, 18 Mar 2011 13:25:01 -0400 PJ Yesterday I had my third Remicade infusion. I feel great! No morning stiffness and I went from needing a cane to not needing one. I learned that the medications used in the IV infusions are not stronger than the biologic shots that are injected under the skin. In fact, Cimzia, which did nothing for me, and Remicade are the same drug. The only difference is the method of delivery, one is injected sub Q and the other goes into the bloodstream. Now... http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/189079/134288/iv http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/189079/128305/in Thu, 06 Jan 2011 11:17:21 -0500 PJ Since I last talked to you my doc switched me from mtx pills to injections that have helped tremendously. She also switched me to Simponi. Even though my inflammation numbers are still higher than normal, I feel so much better. My doctor wants to do an image guided cortisone injection in my hip joint. I am afraid of the unknown . Has anyone had this done? Who does it? Is it done at a clinic or hospital? How long does it take? What are the pain... http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/189079/128305/in http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/189079/115134/bi Mon, 28 Jun 2010 14:27:09 -0400 PJ I have read the info on biologics and they all say  that some people get relief after a few weeks but it could take up to 6 months to get the maximum relief. Five years ago I started Humira and after 2 injections all pain and swelling went away. Humira stopped working for me. I have been on Cimzia for 3 months now and not only has there been no improvement I have gotten much worse. I may as well be injecting water. Before Cimzia I had a... http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/189079/115134/bi http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/189079/113970/sa Sun, 13 Jun 2010 13:11:40 -0400 PJ Is the sacroiliac joint another word for hip? http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/189079/113970/sa http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/189079/113726/rh Thu, 10 Jun 2010 13:49:45 -0400 PJ I saw my rheumie for 5 years. He was always so rushed and was only in the room for a minute or two. He never really sat down and listened to what I had to say. I started seeing a new rheumatologist. She works in the same office as my former doctor so all my charts and history are there. I told my old rheumie that my hip was hurting and I was now using a cane. He didn't respond to that although he did switch me from Humira to Cimzia. When I told... http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/189079/113726/rh http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/189079/112397/ci Mon, 24 May 2010 14:36:58 -0400 PJ I was on Humira for 5 years but it stopped working for me. My rheumy told me we were running out of options and I should try Cimzia. Not sure what he meant by running out of options since Humira was the only biologic I had ever tried. I have been on Cimzia for 7 weeks and it has done nothing. My ankles, knees, hips and hands are swollen. I can barely walk so I bought a cane. My doc said the next step is Remicade IV's. I hope I can find something... http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/189079/112397/ci http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/189079/107453/don Fri, 26 Mar 2010 11:47:50 -0400 PJ I am a 57 year old female diagnosed with RA 5 years ago. I have been taking Humira and methotrexate for 5 years. The first year on Humira was great, no pain or swelling. But the past 4 years have been a struggle, pain, swelling, knees drained all the time. Now my rheumatologist wants me to stop using Humira and switch to Cimzia. I really don't want to use Cimzia because it is only recently approved by the FDA, (2008), but I mostly don't want to... http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/189079/107453/don